Smart Talk

Smart Talk is a daily, live, interactive program featuring conversations with newsmakers and experts in a variety of fields and exploring a wide range of issues and ideas, including the economy, politics, health care, education, culture, and the environment. Smart Talk airs live every week day at 9 a.m. on WITF’s 89.5 and 93.3.

Radio Smart Talk: PA plan on aging

Pennsylvania and other states are required to develop a plan on aging every four years to provide "a roadmap for meeting the challenges of serving a large and diverse community of older Pennsylvanians."

Old and diverse are two of the key words in that statement. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the state has the fourth oldest population in the country. There are 2.7 million people age 60 and older living in the state. More than 300,000 are 85 and older. Some 22% are between the ages of 45 and 59 -- the so-called baby boom generation -- who will be reaching the 60 plateau in the next few years.

In Pennsylvania, almost 29% of those 65 and older live alone. More than of a quarter of the grandparents in the state are responsible for the care of their grandchildren.

Among the plan's goals are empowering older people to remain in their homes, improve access to care, and direct them to the support they need for staying healthy.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Brian Duke will appear on Wednesday's Radio Smart Talk to discuss a plan that will impact most of us sooner or later.

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